Massage apparatus



Aug. 13, 1929. J. KAZMAZYK Filed Feb.- 29. 1928 Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEF KAZMAZYK, 0F FRIEDRIGHSHAFEN, BOIDENSEE, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR 0]? ONE- HALF T0 WILHELM HASELMEIER, OF STUTTGART, WUR'IEMBERG, GERMANY.

MASSAGE APPARATUS.

Application filed February 29, 1928, Serial No. 257,978, and in Germany March 10, 1927.

My invention relates to massage apparatus and more especially to apparatus of this kind which are actuated by hand.

The main object of my invention is a better efliciency in the application of such apparatus. For this purpose, according to my invention, the massage element on its working surface is substantially spherically shaped and the connection with its handle is made by a joint which allows for movement in various directions. This jointmay be a universal joint of any way of construction, for example a ball joint. I prefer a joint which allows for easy connection and disconnection between the massage element and the handle, so that it will be possible readily to exchange different kinds of massage elements to be used with the same handle.

According to my invention the spherical curvature of the working surface of the massage element may be substantially alike all over the surface or it may vary in such manner that the middle portion is rounder than the surrounding outer portions or vice versa. For different portions of the body it may be advisable to change the way of massaging which can easily be effected by exchanging differently shaped massage elements as provided in accordance with my invention.

The efficiency of the massage elements will be increased by providing projections on the working surface. These projections can have any desired shape and can be arranged in. series or any other manner, as circumstances may afford. I prefer to make the working surface of the massage element and also the projections thereon out of rubber or of a similar elastic material; whereas the core of the element can be metal, Wood, hard rubber or any other suitable material.

Having given a general description of my invention I now want to point it out more in detail referring to the drawing which represents an example embodying my invention.

The figure shows the massage element in section whereas the handle thereto is shown in side view.

The surface a; of the massage element has projections Z) and is stretched over the core 0 to which it is fastened in any suitable way,

for example by means of glue or the like. Core 0 in its middle portion has a cavity adapted to receive ball 05 belonging to handle 1. An adequately shaped nut e is screwed mto core 0 so as to secure handle f to the massage element.

For certain purposes it may be advisable to have the cavity in the core 0 not exactly in its middle but more or less sideways so that the resistance when massaging varies in the different directions which Will cause a difference in the speed of the movements and also in the pressure exerted on the various parts of the body undergoing the massaging treatment at a time.

Of course there will be a certain amount of friction also in the ball oint, for example, which has to be overcome when applying the apparatus.

Under all circumstances the connection between the handle and the massage element has to allow for an ample movement of the element around the fastening point. This is the main feature of my invention. In the example represented these conditions are met by shaping the nut and the part of the handle adjacent to the ball d so that the handle is freely movable around the ball joint.

The handle may have any suitable shape. It can be straight and cylindrical like represented in the drawing or it may be curved or made from portions linked together so as to allow for shaping the handle in accordance with the prevailing circumstances or to best suit the operator.

I do not want to be limited to the details described or shown in the drawing, as many variations will occur to those skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A massage apparatus comprising a massage element having a spherically shaped working surface with projections thereon; a handle; and a universal ball joint connecting said element to said handle, the ball projecting into the interior of the massage element.

2. A massage apparatus comprising a massage element having a spherically shaped working surface with projections thereon; a handle; a universal ball joint connecting said element to said handle; and means for silient material, such as rubber; a handle;

easily connecting and disconnecting said a ball joint comprising a ball fixed to said universal joint. 7 handle and adapted to fit into a cavity in 10 3. Amassage apparatus comprising a massaid element and a nut adapted to fit over 5 sage element having a spherically shaped said ball and to be screwed on to said eleworking surface with projections thereon; ment. V i. said working surface being made from re- J OSEF KAZMAZYK. 

